John Raffel
Sports Scene
When high school football teams look back at the 2011 season, a highlight that the players, the fans, and the student body will likely relish is homecoming.
Many schools conducted their homecomings during October in various types of weather. It’s arguably the oldest tradition in high school football. But it’s a tradition, athletic directors admit, that remains a highlight for all the athletes, parents, and coaches involved.
Ryan Sklener of Breckenridge points out that the snake dance and the bonfire are cherished homecoming traditions at his school. Both football and cross country teams participate.
“The cross country teams run with the football game ball from the opposing school’s field to our field,” he said.
Sklener sees no differences in homecoming celebrations now compared to when he was in high school.
Kurt Hofmeister, athletic director at Valley Lutheran, points out that his school partakes in the “usual activities of homecoming with a king and queen, parade of floats, tailgating, wearing of jerseys, poms performance, Saturday night dance, signs in the hallway and a pep rally.” The school has a game, parade, and tailgate tied in with football on the Friday of homecoming. A night game for soccer is held the Thursday of homecoming week.
“Tailgating is new,” Hofmeister said, when comparing homecoming in 2011 with many years ago. “We picked a young lady from each class to be on the court; at Valley we pick only senior boys and girls.
“There is a certain amount of build up to the game. There are a few more people that typically attend, along with some recent alumni. It’s the only game for which we have a pep rally. Nobody wants to lose their homecoming game. It’s a source of pride to win any game, however. It becomes easier to get up for the game knowing many schools schedule us for homecoming, thinking they will win.”
Central Montcalm athletic director John Kearney points out that a homecoming parade is featured between Stanton and Sheridan. The location flip-flops each year.
“I went to a small Catholic school, and we did not have a city parade or bonfire,” Kearney said. “Everything else is the same. It is one game that is highly celebrated, and usually attendance is the biggest with alumni coming back for this game, also.”
Owosso, like most schools, takes homecoming very seriously, notes athletic director Dallas Linter.
“The most unique piece about homecoming at Owosso, compared to when I was in high school, is the level of participation,” he said. “On Friday afternoon of homecoming week, we use the last two hours of the day for interclass games. These activities are a series of games and stunts that earn points for each of the four classes and the staff toward the annual spirit jug competition. Our student council organizes the event and goes to great lengths to incorporate many of our students in the competition.
“Some of the activities are physical (tug of war), some involve speed (relay races that require keeping cake frosting on the nose), and some are even smelly (caramel-covered onion eating contest). We had a dance contest between classes that saw an impressive, impromptu rush of students to the gym floor. There were very few students left in the seating area when this happened.
Our celebration is fairly typical. We announce our float winners before the football game, and our queen at halftime. Our dance is on Saturday night.”
Homecoming brings one word to mind for Linter: excitement.
“I think it makes the entire week exciting,” Linter said. “For the athletes, it is possible that the excitement and emotion may play a part in the game, either positively or negatively. The initial novelty of homecoming quickly wears off, and the players settle in and do what they have been trained to do. Owosso fans have traditionally packed our facilities for the homecoming football game, and this year was no exception. Even with the rain, wind, and cold temperatures, our community came out in big numbers and was extremely excited.”
Joann Spry, St. Louis athletic director, points out that homecoming is no small event at her school, either
“It is one of the times that really brings the community out to participate in their school’s traditions. This community really enjoys the parade and all the hoopla involved with homecoming, which is fantastic,” she said. “It is a very positive experience for the school and athletes. Attendance at the game is usually very good (weather permitting) and regardless of the score, it is a good time for all.”
It’s also a unique event at Lansing Catholic Central.
“We have a homecoming mass in our school early in the week,” said athletic director Rich Kimball. “We have spirit days with different themes as to what should be worn to school. Points are awarded for different activities during the week, culminating with the awarding of a spirit trophy to the winning class.
At Carson City-Crystal, “homecoming is always a special event and it means a lot to the players due to all the activities and larger than normal crowd,” athletic director Larry Farmer said. “Players are excited that many alumni come back for the game, and it is extra motivation for them to play well.”